New Kansas City restaurant snags finalist spot in bid for prestigious award
A Kansas City izakaya-style restaurant is a nominee for a James Beard Award, considered one of the highest achievements in the hospitality industry.
The James Beard Foundation announced Tuesday morning that Anjin, 1708 Oak St. in the Crossroads, is one step closer to winning Best New Restaurant.
It was announced as a semifinalist in late January but today was announced as a nominee. The winners will be announced at the Lyric Opera House in Chicago on June 15.
Anjin is one of several Kansas City restaurants and restaurateurs who were announced as semifinalists in January. Others include:
- Helen Jo Leach of The Town Company, Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker
- Johnny Leach of The Town Company, Best Chef: Midwest
- Diana Condori of Fern Bar, Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service
- Swetha Newcomb of Of Course, Best Chef: Midwest
- Drastic Measures, Outstanding Bar
Anjin is a 20-seat restaurant in the Crossroads inspired by the casual and communal environment of izakayas, or intimate Japanese bars.
At Anjin Nick and Leslie Goellner serve a rotating menu based on seasonal freshness.
“The best thing I do is edit other people’s stuff,” Nick, a French Culinary Institute graduate, told The Star in a recent interview. “I have more fun if I’m with one person or multiple people, and we’re bouncing ideas off of each other.”
Current items on the menu include fried sakura pork collar sandwich ($20). Chawanmushi is served in a large, teacup-shaped dish. Pull off the ceramic top, and customers will find Missouri catfish, black olive oil, trout roe, chives and heirloom corn ($19).
At Anjin, there’s “nowhere to hide,” Leslie said. There’s no backroom, hidden storage space, or walk-in freezer.
The couple thinks that makes for a more fun, lively dining experience.
“People have been so kind and so wonderful, and I think just really excited to have a new style of dining for Kansas City,” Leslie said.
